100 YEARS AGO: NORWEGIAN SAILOR DROWNS AT IRWELL WHARF AFTER A NIGHT DRINKING IN ECCLES

Eccles Wharf on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal situated at the bottom of Davis Street and Boardman Street, was once a busy unloading destination for ships delivering goods to the local area, and sadly was the scene of several fatalities, usually involving alcohol and drunken seamen,

This story from the pages of The Eccles Journal, February 1922 tells of the tragic death of a Norwegian sailor, Nils Anthon Nilson aged 27.

An inquest was held into his death with the Manchester District Coroner, Mr G.S. Leresche listening to evidence given to him, so he could decide a verdict.

P.C. Hewitt told the inquest that he and a dock policeman, named Duggan, recovered the body from the Manchester Ship Canal at 11.45 am on the previous Friday, the body was identified by a fellow seaman, Johnson.

It was Johnson who raised the alarm, the previous Monday and he told P.C. Hewitt that that he and Nilson were granted shore leave on the Monday evening and at 7pm went into the Royal Oak Hotel on Barton Lane and had two pints of beer each.

They then strolled around Eccles town centre and had a few more pints, before returning to the Royal Oak Hotel, where they had more drink before making their way to their ship on the wharf, he said that they crossed the railway lines and went around some coal waggons, it was dark and windy.

Nilson was walking ahead of him, when he suddenly disappeared, and then he heard a loud splash, he climbed down a ladder at the side of the canal but couldn't see him in the water, he hurried back to the ship and informed the ships Watchman of the incident.

The ships Chief Officer told P.C. Hewitt that Nilson was was of good character and that he had advanced him ten shillings on the Saturday and doubted that he would have had much money left to spend on alcohol.

P.C. Duggan told the inquest that there was a powerful light about 80 yards from where the accident occurred but the two sailors went around the dark side of the waggons, probably under the impression that there was a set of safety rails on the other side.

The P.C. Hewitt told the Coroner that he had warned Johnson that he had to appear at this inquest and that he had promised to do so, however the ship sailed that morning with him on it and would not return for another 12 months.

The Coroner asked that representation be sent to the Norwegian Consul requesting that the men's contempt of court in not being present.

He then returned a verdict of, Accidental Death.

I don't think there is anything sinister in the men not being at the inquest. And it would seem that poor Mr Nilson wasn't used to the strong beer in the Royal Oak, Joseph Holt's brew and in a drunken state fell into the canal and drowned.

The Irwell Wharf has long gone and the Royal Oak has closed down recently for anyone interested, signs of the times.